queenofpop
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- Jul 25, 2011
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Hi. A good friend told me I should post this correspondence to the BBC(British Broadcasting Company) from me and back from the BBC. One of their radio show hosts said a rude comment about Michael in reference to him coming to London for his concerts. MJJcommunity has it on record that Michael heard about the comment and wants an apology from the BBC. I was upset and wrote letter of complaint. One of their PR guys wrote me back, with a "typical response" and so i wrote back again. I never heard back again...again...typical. So below is the leltters...
> > www.bbc.co.uk/complaints > > ---------Original
> Message------------- > > Hello, > I was sickened
> and shocked to hear of the slander presented > by Steve
> Punt and Huge Dennis regarding Michael Jackson and > the
> upcoming concert shows at London's O2 > 2009/2010.
> Their quote exactly "I can't believe which > 80s
> celebrities I want back less. Michael Jackson or the >
> IRA." I feel horrified because he is not only one the
> most > talented artists of our times, but one of the most
> > mis-understood artists as well. This is where the
> "2" hosts > showed their lack of knowledge and
> compassion towards people > in general, whether it was
> directed towards Michael or not. > Those comments were
> disgusting and rude. Comparing > Michael Jackson to
> murderers is appalling! They should > keep sick comments
> to themselves and be thankful he chose > London to
> present his talents. We here in the U.S. are just >
> waiting and hoping he extends his tour to us. I have >
> purchased
> > tickets to fly from San Francisco to London to see
> > him. I am now re-thinking the whole idea because of
> > sad, rude and hateful people such as Steve Punt and
> Huge > Dennis trying to represent London. I understand
> and respect > only too well the concept of (our/USA)
> fathers "Freedom of > Speech", however, being
> hateful/ignorant on such a > well-known program such as
> yours, is just unthoughtful, > un-called for and horribly
> disrespectful to such a beautiful > person who has done
> nothing but bring joy, happiness, talent > of the arts
> and financially helped more people world-wide > that
> almost anyone. > Sadly and very disappointed, > Leslie
> Mercer > Sonoma, CA, USA >
> >
> > > Date: Wednesday, March
> 25, 2009, 1:11 PM > Dear Mrs Mercer > > Thanks for
> your e-mail regarding the BBC. > > I appreciate that
> you have concerns over comments made by > 'The Now
> Show' presenters Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis as you >
> felt it was inappropriate to joke about Michael Jackson and
> > the IRA. > > I'm sorry if you were unhappy
> with these comments and I can > assure you there was no
> intention to compare Michael Jackson > to murderers, as
> you've stated. 'The Now Show' is a topical >
> comedy show that deals with the week's news and the
> comments > were meant as a light hearted play on the news
> that Michael > would be returning to perform concerts in
> the UK. As with > any artist opinions on their style vary
> and this was simply > a play on the fact that
> Michael's return wouldn't be to > everyone's
> taste. There certainly was no intention to cause > upset.
> > > As the BBC is a public service financed by the
> licence fee > it must
> > provide programmes which cater for the whole range
> > of tastes in humour. We believe that there's no
> single set > of standards in this area on which the whole
> of society can > agree, and it's inevitable that
> programmes which are > acceptable to some will
> occasionally strike others as > distasteful. The only
> realistic and fair approach for us is > to ensure that
> the range of comedy is broad enough for all > viewers to
> feel that they're catered for at least some of > the
> time. > > I'm aware that this is an issue which
> has caused you some > distress and to this end I'd
> like to assure you that I've > registered your
> complaint on our audience log. This is the > internal
> report of audience feedback which we compile daily > for
> 'The Now Show' team and also their senior
> management. It > ensures that your points are circulated
> and considered > across the BBC. The audience logs are
> seen as important > documents that can help shape
> decisions about future >
> > programming. > > Thanks again for taking the
> time to contact us. > > Regards > > Craig
> Thompson > BBC Complaints >
> >
> > Craig, I appreciate your reply. I am sure you
> are aware of the constant bad and false media about Michael
> Jackson. As a MJ fan and so many I know and communicate
> with, its just another distasteful comment that usually and
> sadly I am used to ignoring. I just really felt that the
> comment was very rude and spiteful. It was placed in
> conjunction with the "IRA"...so realistically it
> was slander in my eyes, not a "light-hearted
> comment" as you say. I probably have one of the best
> "senses of humor" and this was not funny to me. I
> understand that the BBC is trying to reach a broad
> audience...they can truly do that without negative,
> un-called for comments. Again, thank you for your feedback.
> However, I understand where you and your company comes from
> now...just like all of the rest. I am very sorry for this
> situation. I do know and I am sure you are aware that
> Michael Jackson is sad about this occurrence as well.
> Regards, Leslie
> > www.bbc.co.uk/complaints > > ---------Original
> Message------------- > > Hello, > I was sickened
> and shocked to hear of the slander presented > by Steve
> Punt and Huge Dennis regarding Michael Jackson and > the
> upcoming concert shows at London's O2 > 2009/2010.
> Their quote exactly "I can't believe which > 80s
> celebrities I want back less. Michael Jackson or the >
> IRA." I feel horrified because he is not only one the
> most > talented artists of our times, but one of the most
> > mis-understood artists as well. This is where the
> "2" hosts > showed their lack of knowledge and
> compassion towards people > in general, whether it was
> directed towards Michael or not. > Those comments were
> disgusting and rude. Comparing > Michael Jackson to
> murderers is appalling! They should > keep sick comments
> to themselves and be thankful he chose > London to
> present his talents. We here in the U.S. are just >
> waiting and hoping he extends his tour to us. I have >
> purchased
> > tickets to fly from San Francisco to London to see
> > him. I am now re-thinking the whole idea because of
> > sad, rude and hateful people such as Steve Punt and
> Huge > Dennis trying to represent London. I understand
> and respect > only too well the concept of (our/USA)
> fathers "Freedom of > Speech", however, being
> hateful/ignorant on such a > well-known program such as
> yours, is just unthoughtful, > un-called for and horribly
> disrespectful to such a beautiful > person who has done
> nothing but bring joy, happiness, talent > of the arts
> and financially helped more people world-wide > that
> almost anyone. > Sadly and very disappointed, > Leslie
> Mercer > Sonoma, CA, USA >
> >
> > > Date: Wednesday, March
> 25, 2009, 1:11 PM > Dear Mrs Mercer > > Thanks for
> your e-mail regarding the BBC. > > I appreciate that
> you have concerns over comments made by > 'The Now
> Show' presenters Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis as you >
> felt it was inappropriate to joke about Michael Jackson and
> > the IRA. > > I'm sorry if you were unhappy
> with these comments and I can > assure you there was no
> intention to compare Michael Jackson > to murderers, as
> you've stated. 'The Now Show' is a topical >
> comedy show that deals with the week's news and the
> comments > were meant as a light hearted play on the news
> that Michael > would be returning to perform concerts in
> the UK. As with > any artist opinions on their style vary
> and this was simply > a play on the fact that
> Michael's return wouldn't be to > everyone's
> taste. There certainly was no intention to cause > upset.
> > > As the BBC is a public service financed by the
> licence fee > it must
> > provide programmes which cater for the whole range
> > of tastes in humour. We believe that there's no
> single set > of standards in this area on which the whole
> of society can > agree, and it's inevitable that
> programmes which are > acceptable to some will
> occasionally strike others as > distasteful. The only
> realistic and fair approach for us is > to ensure that
> the range of comedy is broad enough for all > viewers to
> feel that they're catered for at least some of > the
> time. > > I'm aware that this is an issue which
> has caused you some > distress and to this end I'd
> like to assure you that I've > registered your
> complaint on our audience log. This is the > internal
> report of audience feedback which we compile daily > for
> 'The Now Show' team and also their senior
> management. It > ensures that your points are circulated
> and considered > across the BBC. The audience logs are
> seen as important > documents that can help shape
> decisions about future >
> > programming. > > Thanks again for taking the
> time to contact us. > > Regards > > Craig
> Thompson > BBC Complaints >
> >
> > Craig, I appreciate your reply. I am sure you
> are aware of the constant bad and false media about Michael
> Jackson. As a MJ fan and so many I know and communicate
> with, its just another distasteful comment that usually and
> sadly I am used to ignoring. I just really felt that the
> comment was very rude and spiteful. It was placed in
> conjunction with the "IRA"...so realistically it
> was slander in my eyes, not a "light-hearted
> comment" as you say. I probably have one of the best
> "senses of humor" and this was not funny to me. I
> understand that the BBC is trying to reach a broad
> audience...they can truly do that without negative,
> un-called for comments. Again, thank you for your feedback.
> However, I understand where you and your company comes from
> now...just like all of the rest. I am very sorry for this
> situation. I do know and I am sure you are aware that
> Michael Jackson is sad about this occurrence as well.
> Regards, Leslie
